Bonjour!Just wanted to give a super quick update to share as 2010 comes to a close. Be sure to sign up for my e-mailing list HERE so you can continue to receive regular updates! You can also always find me on facebook and twitter!

Happy (almost) New Year!!!Wishing you only good things in 2011.Happy trails & travels,-- Becky xo

Hey Team,SO another fine fellow wrote a lovely article about the Roadtrip with Reason for the Sheridan Sun Online! It is a great article with pictures and all. Give it a read HERE! There was also something else written in the newspaper titled "Give more than money this holiday season" which ties in quite well with our little project -- be sure to check it out.For all my lazy readers (hehe), I have copied out the article below.......ENJOY!Happy trails & travels,-- Becky xo________________________________________________________________________________________________________Trekking across Canada for a ReasonBy Nathan Howes

A former Sheridan student wants to leave her mark on Canada next summer when she hits the road for a cross-country trip to promote various charities.

“Roadtrip with Reason” will be a three-month journey to lend a helping hand to non-profit organizations nationwide.A post-graduate of the corporation communications program, 23-year-old Becky Conlon works for the Arts Council of Muskoka in Bracebridge and came up with the idea after contemplating her future recently, as her contract ends in July.

“I’ve always wanted to take a road trip across Canada. I love road trips and that’s been sort of my dream, but I didn’t really want to just take a trip,” said Conlon in a phone interview. “I started thinking about not-for-profit organizations, how I’m passionate about them and how I think there needs to be a little bit more exposure to them.”

Trip starts out eastConlon will begin the trip on Aug. 1 in Newfoundland and Labrador. She expects to arrive in Nunavut in early November when she finishes.“It’s going to be difficult because it’s the very beginning of the planning stages. It depends on how many days I need to spend in each province to be able to spend enough time with not-for-profit organizations to get to where I need to go,” said Conlon.It’s a little early to know what organizations she will be working for, but Conlon adds that she is interested in working with groups that specialize in everything from arts and culture to the environment. “I’m really focusing on small, action-oriented organizations that are really doing something with themselves and really making an effort,” said Conlon. “The ones that are struggling the most and the ones that don’t have as much funding.”

Conlon hopes to have a car by next summer so that she can make the trek but failing that, she does have an alternative so the trip can happen.

“Hopefully by August I will and if not, I will find a way to do it,” said Conlon. “You never know, I could end up taking a bus trip across Canada.”

If she does find a car in time, Conlon will need plenty of rest and take lots of breaks to ensure her safety on the long-distance trip, according to Valerie Powell, communications and media coordinator for the Canada Safety Council.

"I’m really focusing on small, action-oriented organizations that are really doing something with themselves and really making an effort."“A lot of people try and push themselves to drive as far as they can and then they get drowsy. Being tired and drowsy behind the wheel is an impairment,” said Powell. “If you’re feeling sleepy, take a break. Also, make sure to get your vehicle checked right before you leave.”

When it comes to how much driving someone should handle per day, there is no standard as each person is different and it depends on the amount of rest she gets before the drive, says Powell.

“Some people can drive longer than others. Maybe one day, somebody can drive 12 hours and the next day they can only drive eight, depending on how they feel.”

In addition to having adequate rest for the drive,Conlon will also have to worry about cost, as things such as food, gas and accommodations can get expensive for a three-month road trip. Conlon says she has a plan to cut costs on accommodations.

Couch surfing“I love to camp and I love the outdoors, so for the most part I will be doing this in the summer and I’m going to be looking at just camping and couch surfing,” said Conlon. “My biggest cost is going to be gas I think and that I will figure out along the way.”Conlon hopes some of the people she meets will also come along for a part of the journey and share in her experience. She is using her website to advertise her trip and invite as many people as possible to get involved.

“If people want to come on the road trip with me for a couple days or week at a time, I’d love to have them. I really want to reach as many people as possible,” said Conlon. “When we get closer to the actual trip time, hopefully we will have some funds and new people on the road with me and be able to experience it with me.”Having been involved with various non-profit organizations throughout her life, Conlon knows how difficult it can be for groups to find support to keep them afloat.

Conlon cares“It’s hard to do all this tough work without that feeling of, ‘okay, at least somebody cares.’ I’m hoping that I can just at least say thank you to the people who are running the organizations,” said Conlon.

“This might be a fun trip and I’ll see what happens. It could turn into something wonderful and if not, then I will have myself a great trip and a great volunteer experience.”

If you’re interested in joining Conlon on her trip, you can sign up online at: www.roadtripwithreason.ca. She also has a Facebook page (Roadtrip with Reason) and a Twitter account (@roadtripwreason) set up where people can follow her progress.

Hey Friends,I just wanted to share that Roadtrip with Reason was featured in the Sheridan Sun last week! It feels pretty nice to receive some support from my ol' educational stompin' grounds. I have typed up the article for you to read (Is that dorky?! My scanner was broken!)..... enjoy!!!Happy trails & travels,-- Becky xo

CRUISING ACROSS CANADA WITH A REASON IN MINDTodd CampbellAlumni NewsSheridan graduate Becky Conlon will hit the open road and go on a road trip across Canada next year, but this isn't your ordinary road trip. This one has purpose. "Roadtrip with Reason is a three-month journey that I will be taking across Canada to volunteer with not-for-profit organizations in every province and territory," said Conlon, 23, who just recently graduated from the corporate communications program at Sheridan. Not-for-profit groups are something that Conlon is very passionate about and she's embarking on this road trip in order to bring them more exposure. "I am very passionate about not-for-profit organizations and think there are various ones across Canada that are in need of some helping hands," said Conlon. "I decided to plan an adventure around volunteering with these organizations, in hopes of drawing some exposue to them, as well as the general importance the organizations play in communities across Canada." Conlon plans to work with groups in many areas of interest while on her trip. "I am hoping to work with many different kinds of organizations - environmental, social issues, arts and culture, health... because I want to expose Canada to all the various issues that are being dealt with in the communities. I also am going to strive to work with the smaller action-oriented organizations, rather than the really established ones," said Conlon. Conlon plans on hitting every province and territory on her trip starting from Newfoundland and Labrador, and ending in Nunavut. "It might be a difficult achievement especially because there are no roads into Nunavut at this time, but I will find a way," said Conlon. The road trip is still in the planning stages but, if all goes well, Conlon plans on starting the trip by August. Funding is an important process. "At this time, I am looking at various options to obtain funding. Unfortunately, because I am an individual, I am not eligible for many government grants. I will be looking into the potential of sponsorships, fundraising and personal financing," said Conlon. Conlon is doing this trip alone but invvited anyone who is interested to come along. "I have been planning this trip for myself, but I am inviting Canadians to hit the road with me for a few days at a time. I want to be able to share this with as many interested people as possible," she said. Conlon will keep track of her journey through blog posts, on her website, www.roadtripwithreason.ca, and through various social media such as Facebook and Twitter. "I will be volunteering a few days of my time with each organization, and will film my experience with them - as well as gather footage of the leaders/volunteers of the organization. I will then create a 'profile' of the organization and post a weekly one on my website for the 'Friday Feature'," says Conlon. For more info visit: www.roadtripwithreason.ca

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Welcome! My name is Becky. I took a roadtrip across Canada, from July to November 2011. This roadtrip was a special one though, because it had reason!Go through my blog history to catch up on my 4-month cross-Canada roadtrip where I supported small non-profit organizations and explored the idea of volunteerism. It was so inspiring, life changing and so much FUN...Click HERE to get put on my e-mailing list! You can also check me out on twitter or facebook!